Gore Book Signing Turns Into Crowd Begging Him To Run

[AtomicKitten]

Book crowd begs Gore to enter presidential fray
June 7, 2007
BY TERESA SEWELL Chicago Sun Times Staff Reporter

Al Gore lovers nearly turned his Borders book signing appearance into a political rally Wednesday afternoon.

"Run Al, Run!" many chanted as Gore headed to his seat at the State Street store. But, disappointing hundreds in the crowd, he reiterated that he would not enter the 2008 presidential race.

"I think he was the legitimate president in 2000. So, it's only fitting that he occupy a seat in the White House," said Northsider Tahra Workman, who picked up the youth book version of Gore's documentary film An Inconvenient Truth for her daughter.

Borders employees handed out all 1,000 wristbands -- the maximum number of books allowed for the signing of Gore's other new book, The Assault on Reason -- 45 minutes before he even arrived.

"I've really poured myself into this book," Gore said as the crowd cheered.

* snip *

Vince Pryor, who wore a "Gore '08" sticker on his T-shirt, said Gore's book rings with truth.

"He's that bright light that America needs right now," said Pryor.

Gore said while he would not run for president, he's committed to a campaign to provide knowledge about issues like global warming, so humankind can survive.

'Mr. Gore, Please run'

"Bless your heart," Gore said to Barb Ruehl after opening her book.

The inside cover read: "Mr. Gore, Please run for president, 2008." The Aurora woman missed work to relay the message to him.

Sasha Navarro, the first in line, arrived at 5:20 a.m. The Loop resident calls Gore's views eye-opening and inspiring.

"He's saying what needs to be said," Navarro explained. "At this point, what does he have to lose?"

http://www.suntimes.com/entertainment/books/417979,CST-NWS-Gore07.article

[wtmusic]

1. While Al will be valuable in whatever arena he chooses to serve

I will be very. disappointed. if he doesn't run for president.

[AtomicKitten]

8. me too

very disappointed

[Labors of Hercules]

39. me three

very very disappointed.

[StudentsMustUniteNow]

2. Thank You

Can we focus on the candidates who ARE running now? Instead of drooling over the guy who propagandized for NAFTA and still hasn't apologized. We have many good candidates to pick from.

[AtomicKitten]

7. you go right on ahead

thanks for dropping by for a midafternoon cup of snark ...

And, yes, we do have a formidable field but that sentiment is not mutually exclusive from acknowledgment of the appeal of a Gore run.

The more the merrier IMO.

[LSparkle]

3. I don't know what I'd do if I came face to face with him

I'd probably just burst into tears ... He has been MY president since 2000 and it's just a travesty that he isn't living at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.

I can only hope and pray that SOMETHING happens during the next few months of this campaign that will move him to get into this race.

[AtomicKitten]

9. he has a book signing here in SF next month

I plan to beg.

[Totally Committed]

13. Somehow, I just knew you'd be there.....

;-)

TC

[AtomicKitten]

15. wouldn't miss it for the world

This Democrat is getting her kneepads out early to beg, cajole, persuade, etc.

Whatever it takes. :)

[polichick]

16. Think of something really clever, something that really...

...makes him stop and think!

[Uncle Joe]

4. When I read this paragraph

"Committed to the Earth

The former vice president explained The Assault on Reason takes a look at the "cracks in our democracy," questioning why the Earth's atmosphere is polluted daily "as if it was an open sewer," and how fear has clouded America's political vision."

I couldn't help but think of Europe during the dark ages when sewage and trash was just thrown out in the street, which between that and the rats they spawned led to "The Black Death" or as we know it Bubonic Plague. This same careless couldn't give a *#!@ attitude is prevalent in the Bush administration, with the caveat that the Bush administration is worse because today we know better.

Thanks for the thread AT

Kicked and recommended

[AtomicKitten]

10. Gore is lightyears beyond the rank and file politician.

The brilliance of his candidacy is that he knows the game inside and out, and he is pioneering detours around the system to acquaint John Q. Public with some inconvenient truths about our country.

[Dr Fate]

5. Let's hope so. Anything to keep you occupied from defending the DLC.

I kid, I kid!!! ;)

I hope he jumps in- I need MORE choices, not less.

[AtomicKitten]

6. more Gore

Actually and more accurately I am a big tent advocate, sort of like Switzerland or the ACLU; I think everybody should have a say in the process. Often when I step on toes on what is construed to be a dicey issue, I am accused of being an "-ite" but that is a misnomer.

I would be so happy if Gore jumped in, I couldn't help but get it all over the rest of you, but I suspect most of you wouldn't mind so much. Gore has that unifying appeal and most folks are fully into a reckoning for 2000. :)

[Dr Fate]

12. I was just messing with you- we agree- Gore would add much to the debates & race.

I am uncomitted but would certainly consider supporting him for the nom...

[Tom Rinaldo]

11. The tremendous amount of support still being shown to Al Gore

testifies to two important truths. The first is obvious; Al Gore is held in the greatest respect by large numbers of Democrats. The second is becoming increasingly obvious; a substantial number of Democrats are not well satisfied with their current announced choices for potential presidential nominees. If both were not true, it would be enough to thank Al Gore for, and back him strongly in, the critical work he is now doing regarding Global Warming. The fact that there is such a sustained desire for Gore to now enter the fray for President, even though he is obviously already meaningfully engaged in critical work already, speaks volumes for the need for at least one new candidate to run for the Democratic nomination. Obviously not all of Al Gore's support would flow easily to anyone other than Al Gore of those who might still announce for President as a Democrat, and clearly Gore is the man who could most easily gaiter a quick head of steam should he decide to make the plunge. But the fact that so many are still holding back support from the current Democrats running, minimally suggests that a shake up in the current line up is not thought to be "too late" by substantial numbers of potential primary voters.

[AtomicKitten]

14. I think a Gore and/or Clark candidacy would be embraced.

Al Gore was burned so badly in 2000 that the desire for a karmic reckoning is palpable, particularly after the nightmare that has ensued afterwards.

I too believe the field hasn't been fully fleshed out. The Democrats are strong and it is their election to lose. Perhaps it may be out of line saying so but I strongly believe the nomination belongs to Gore if he wants it.

[Tom Rinaldo]

18. I agree with all of your points

Although I might add that the Democratic nomination would be Gore's, but only if he decides he truly wants to fight for it. If Gore does, I think that he would win, but I think he is realistic enough to know that the official Democratic Party isn't going to knock on his door to draft him. Al has to signal that he is up for making the whole long grueling fight, through the small hamlets of Iowa and New Hampshire and on into the big market media states. If Al Gore is willing to take the time to do all of that, I believe the nomination will be his. Anything short of that though, any mixed messages about really putting in the time it takes to campaign, and he will find that many potential supporters will dry up, and the campaign will move on toward someone else winning without him.

So I think it really is up to Al now to decide if he wants to make the massive committment of time and energy that running for President will require, or if he would rather focus his resources directly on his fight against climatic change. Although you know that I am partisan toward Wes Clark, I don't think Clark would have a chance now of coming out on top if Al Gore and he both wanted to run. While that would sadden me a little personally, overall I would be thrilled to have the chance to support Al Gore for President rather than one of the currently announced candidates. But I really don't know what the odds are that Gore will take that plunge. If he doesn't I think that the continued interest now being shown a man with demonstrated leadershop experience on the world stage, over alliegence to the current crop of candidates, points to an opening for Wes Clark also, assuming again that Al Gore chose not to actively pursue the nomination.

[Totally Committed]

17. This is so true:

The second is becoming increasingly obvious; a substantial number of Democrats are not well satisfied with their current announced choices for potential presidential nominees.

I totally agree with this assessment. The current crop is woefully underwhelming.

TC

[illinoisprogressive]

19. sounds alot like when Obama went on his book signing last fall. cool

[Colobo]

20. He's God!!! He's God!!!!

:sarcasm:

[Forkboy]

22. Nah...but he is a far sight better than the two in your picture.

Who both have supporters doing the worship thing quite well.

[RestoreGore]

21. Too bad people don't cheer that loudly for saving Democracy

Or our planet. I wonder what he may really think when he goes to these book signings expecting people to tell him that he is right and that they are prepared to do what he suggested... and all he gets is the same political campaign instead of that...the same thing over and over again. There will never be real progress on the Democracy crisis or the climate crisis if people constantly make everything about a partisan political sound bite instead of us. I still say this also feeds into the media tactic of using this as red meat to intimate that he is not sincere about this and that it is only a campaign book when it surely is more than that if people could just get beyond using it as a sound bite. I bet he spends most of the time signing the books saying, " I have no plans" instead of actually talking about the substance of this book. And I was so disappointed because I couldn't go to NY to see him because I had to work. I most surely would have had much more to say on the topic in my few seconds than those same three words.

[AtomicKitten]

23. we can multitask

We take both he as environmental advocate AND as a potential presidential candidate seriously.

They are not mutually exclusive and, in fact, as president he could implement much of what he has advocated for.

Quit trying to rain on the parade, RestoreGore. I for the life of me can't figure out why you chose that screen name. There are many, many Democrats that would give their spleen to restore Gore to the office he won fair and square in 2000, the office that was denied him by a traitorous 5:4 Supreme Court coup d'etat.

And we will continue to hope that he jumps into the fray in spite of your nonstop campaign here at DU to belittle, criticize, and marginalize those that believe in him.

[RestoreGore]

24. They are to me and that opinion is my right just as yours is your right

Then stop trying in these threads to purify them to your own liking and practice some of that respect of opposing opinions you brag about being tolerant of here. I don't happen to find running in this crappy system exclusive to a crisis that was ignored by that crappy system for the last thirty years and still basically is. I still believe and will always believe until I see that change that the strategy of tackling it from out here by mobilizing people and changing their hearts and minds to demand change and bringing it about is best considering what we are up against, and he and those helping him with that are making progress with that strategy. Again, in my view, turning his book signings which are about a serious subject into nothing but a confetti rally is in my mind not doing anything of substance to either change his mind or contribute to a solution. So stop trying to marginalize those of us who believe in him and support his way of doing this now but not the crappy system he was in for thirty years that didn't give a damn about his prescience and vision. You may extol it, but I don't.

[Pastiche423]

25. So what you've said, ad nauseam on this board

is that you do not believe that Al Gore can multi-task, even w/the thousands of climate change messengers that he has taught around the world.

By your own words, you put down this brilliant man and his capabilities, day after day, after day, after day.

Guess what? DUers are not stupid people. Many (including myself), have read his book, Assault on Reason and WE GET IT!

It isn't like we din't already know that the state of our country and its political system is broken. We've been posting about it for six years!

Another guess what... a lot of us here at DU are fucking sick and tired of your fucking spam.

Get a clue, it ain't working. :eyes:

[RestoreGore]

27. No, that is not what I'm saying

I am agreeing with Mr. Gore regarding this system and what needs to happen to change it for the better, because him running in this system now that has not changed since 2000 will do nothing but cause him to spin his wheels in the muck and take him away from a very important mission that he has already begun. That was his thought as he relayed it as well in an interview last week In Tennessee and he is correct on that. It has nothing to do with his qualifications but everything to do with what he wrote about in the book he was signing which you say you get.

If you cannot understand that you just don't want to and it is no more ad nauseum than the daily threads that talk about nothing in regards to his work except to plead with him to do something that we should be doing ourselves. So with all due respect, get a clue yourself, because this wasn't about you getting the book or not, it was about acting on it. And please, there is not one post I have ever typed about this man that put him down and that is truly a tired attempt to demean that is transparent. My journal speaks for itself. It is because of his prescience and his sacrifice now without the political pretense that more accolades are coming to him than ever before and they are well deserved and I hope they continue.

[Pastiche423]

29. Please do tell everyone

how you know no one is acting on it?

HOW DO YOU KNOW?

[RestoreGore]

30. Well then tell us what is being done...

because last I checked people were still glued to watching Paris Hilton, and we still have traitors in our White House and a shredded Constitution.

[Pastiche423]

31. I asked you a question

I would appreciate it if you would kindly answer.

[RestoreGore]

32. And I answered it

[Pastiche423]

33. No, you did not answer my question

I realy, really, really want everyone to see you answer my question.

[Pastiche423]

36. The sound of silence...

when one can not speak the truth.

[RestoreGore]

46. Point out where I stated here in those exact words that NO one is doing anything

You also won't get answers to questions when you put words in peoples' mouths and twist their statements just because you are meanspirited about it. And I asked you to then tell us what people are doing to change this system now, but no response at all. At least I answered it. I suspect if people on the whole were actually doing something to make changes happen on a grand scale, Mr. Gore would not have needed to write this book in the first place. You think he did it just to have something to do? What do you think he is saying in it? It is a truthful reflection on us just as much as it is on politics and the media. So I suspect waiting for a response to my question will truly bring about silence.

[Uncle Joe]

26. I agree with Atomic Kitten on this,

not just that we can multi-task, but that it would be anathema to support anyone for President other than who we truly believe to be the most qualified person for the job, especially because the times are screaming for the best leadership in the land.

I will continue to support your threads just on the merits of your valid points but on this, we disagree.

[RestoreGore]

28. So be it

Unfortunately, being president of this country now is not something to be proud of, and personally I think as a statesman and global ambassador for our planet that he has more stature than he could ever have otherwise to continue his work without compromising his conscience and his morals. He also obviously sees the pitfalls of this now dictatorial system others refuse to see.

[Uncle Joe]

34. If Al Gore were my President, the type that occupies the White House.

I could be exceptionally proud of the Presidency, not just because my personal favorite would be restored to the office, unjustly denied him, but most of all, because I believe Al Gore would be in the best position to transform our dysfunctional government and society back to the days of making decisions based on the concept of reason.

Stature is great, but I'm firmly convinced, should Al Gore come to power and lead our nation as President, he won't do it by playing with the MCM's designated rules anymore.

I don't expect Al Gore to do it alone by any stretch of the imagination, I believe as the Internet grows stronger, it will assist him in this regard. I also believe that a large part of the reason, the MCM are trying to eliminate net neutrality is to get rid of the last vestiges of democratic debate.

I see no way to beat them, unless we have a President sympathetic to our democratic republic, the rule of law and decisions based on reason and I simply don't trust anyone else to handle this critical task compared to the preeminent competence, wisdom and conscious of Al Gore.

[RestoreGore]

42. Unfortunate that this fervor wasn't so great in 2004 when we needed to keep Bush out

Apparently he saw more than we did then as well, and he does now. I think this obsession some have with title over his work and all he could accomplish regardless of his address is actually taking the focus off the climate crisis, and I see it as a diversion now more than anything else.

[Uncle Joe]

44. 2008 isn't 2004,

I don't know whether the Internet is strong enough today to counter the effects of MCM propaganda but I do believe it's stronger now than it was.

As I've stated before I will ultimately support whatever final decision Al Gore makes whether he runs or not in 2008, 2012, 2016, 2020, 2024, or 2028, I might become concerned regarding his age after that.

Regarding obsession, one person's obsession is another person's passion.

[RestoreGore]

47. Well I see different kinds of passion

Passion based on legitimate concerns, and passion based on pipedreams. I've been hurt too much by the latter, and believe the former are much more important in life.

[AtomicKitten]

50. legitimate concerns versus pipe-dreams

how do you live with the fabulousness of yourself?
do you have to wear sunglasses when you look in the mirror?

Your entire 'tide was summarized in that reasoning. Yikes.

[Uncle Joe]

51. I'm sorry you've been hurt,

I've been hurt and disappointed myself, and I know it's difficult to regroup. However not to keep splitting words here but one person's pipe dream is another's vision, sometimes things just don't happen when we want them to, they happen when they do, or maybe they never happen, but I don't believe because of my previous pains, not to try.

[RestoreGore]

55. Try what?

Forcing him to do something he doesn't truly wish to do? Are you then saying that if he does not run in 2008 he has "not tried" even with all of the accomplishments he already has made out here? Why this obsession with title as opposed to results? Sorry, I just don't see it and I am trying, only I'm not doing it in a political context because nothing ever comes of it that way. Grassroots action to get around this political system is now the only way to change what is ailing this country, and as far as I am concerned Mr. Gore is my leader in that vein because that is exactly what he is doing now and I will support him regardless of whether he has a title in front of his name or not. It seems to me however, that many only see his work as worthwhile only if he enters that same system that stifled him to begin with, and that is something I cannot comprehend especially based on the stark difference in results when you compare the two.

[Uncle Joe]

59. I'm referring to us, not Al Gore, I was answering this post of yours

"Well I see different kinds of passion
Passion based on legitimate concerns, and passion based on pipe dreams. I've been hurt too much by the latter, and believe the former are much more important in life."

I have never thought of Al Gore as a quitter or not trying, even if he never decides to run again. I thought I made it clear on my earlier post that I'll support whatever final decision he makes. Mr. Gore is my leader as well, but just because he hasn't committed to date, doesn't warrant me from encouraging him to do so.

[AtomicKitten]

49. right-on Uncle Joe

2000 scarred me in a big way. The disgrace of the Supreme Court usurping the will of the voters was the beginning of a morally bankrupt regime.

2004 was tough and kudos to all the candidates that stepped up to run. Unfortunately the GOP wasn't about to allow someone to take their bone away and showed their teeth like never before. It was ugly and it's over. Let's move on.

2008 is the Democrats' year to lose. I don't think anyone disagrees with the notion that we want our strongest, our brightest, our toughest no-nonsense, not gonna take crap candidate to go toe-to-toe with their freakshow.

Have you seen their line-up? :scared:
People think I'm some kind of Pollyanna here at DU for some reason, probably because my head doesn't frequently explode but, seriously, take a hard look at their line-up, tune in to Faux News and Glen Beck and the rest of the trolls. Now that's scary.

[Uncle Joe]

57. I agree with you Atomic Kitten,

their lineup scares the hell out of me as well and after 6+ years of organized crime rule, I believe the nation is ready for major change as well.

I also believe the key will be the MCM's behavior, it's imperative we keep their feet to the fire and hold them accountable when they mislead the American People. If we become complacent and let them continue their propagandistic ways, without recourse, we'll just get a new version of Bush and our national nightmare will only just be beginning.

And last but certainly not least, I agree with Al Gore in that we must fight to protect net neutrality as he wrote in "The Assault on Reason". I believe the Internet is the last bastion of true democratic debate and corporations such as the ones which own 80%-90% of everything the American People see, hear or read would love to neutralize the internet.

[AtomicKitten]

58. Gore really gets what is going on in this country.

The MSM can paint candidates the way they choose with careful editing and framing. It's all BS.

I think Gore has the gravitas and savvy to manipulate the system. I think it is precisely that that has me intrigued. Because I am too old for another GOP administration. I've had enough. We must win in 2008 or, well, starting to imagine the consequences makes me break out in a cold sweat.

Thanks for embracing Gore, Uncle Joe. I fully realize he's not the Messiah for the Democrats. Nor do I agree with him 100% of the time. I just firmly believe he at this particular point in history is our best hope at putting this country back on its axis again.

[Uncle Joe]

60. I couldn't have said it better,

and I truly appreciate your commitment to Al Gore as well, Atomic Kitten.

[AtomicKitten]

43. tell you what

I already stay out of most if not all your threads because we vehemently disagree on Gore.

You can reciprocate and stay out mine. 'kay? Use ignore if laying down snark bombs is too tempting to pass up.

Seems kind of pointless to have this same butting tete-a-tete over the fact that for some bizarre reason you feel his supporters here at DU are dishonoring him or some such nonsense by wanting him to run.

try this:

[RestoreGore]

48. The ignore button is your friend n/t

[AtomicKitten]

52. which is why I suggested you use it

n/t

[RestoreGore]

53. Well, your suggestion is rude

And you are nmore than welcome to go into any thread I type. I will simply choose to ignore you if I so desire. If you are and adult you should have the same ability. End of conversation.

[AtomicKitten]

54. Your incessant anti-Gore-2008 campaign at DU is rude.

Get that part straight.

[RestoreGore]

56. No, actually it is your incessant taunting

Good bye.

[Citizen Kang]

35. Tin-foiler here.....

But I don't think he's going to run because he knows the fix is in....just like it was in 2000 and 2004.


It will be Hillary and a Bush/Clinton will again be in the top two offices for 32 years in a row now.

[jcrew2001]

37. Some critics say Gore is pompous on the issues even when he's right

surely he sometimes comes off that way to me at times.

[ellisonz]

38. And the "critics" who say that are even biggest pompous assholes...

I think the root source of that perspective is the anti-intellectualism that pervades this country. God forbid we think in complex analytics.

:+

[Labors of Hercules]

40. complex what?

I don't git it.

[ellisonz]

41. Jesus will save us!

:sarcasm:

[AtomicKitten]

45. Hey, if he's right - and he is on so much ...

he is entitled to be pompous if he wants.

I reject the notion by the wingnuts and the GOP that he is an insufferable smarty-pants.

Democrats should be thrilled we have INTELLIGENCE in our ranks. I embrace it.